Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, resulting in a denial of an increased rating.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 30 percent since February 2015 and no higher ratings are supported by the evidence.,The RO reduced the Veteran’s post-traumatic headaches from 10 to 0 percent effective February 27, 2015 without proper notice or a proposed rating reduction, making this reduction void ab initio. The disability rating of 10 percent is restored as of February 27, 2015.,The Veteran's disfigurement from a right occipital scar and tender right occipital scar are both rated at the maximum allowable under their respective diagnostic codes (38 C.F.R. § 4.118).,The effective date for the grant of TDIU is granted as March 7, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted, and his claim for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran’s migraine and tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting prostrating attacks occurring several times per month.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the Board is unable to determine if he currently has a disability for VA purposes due to unreliable audiometry results. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for another VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of anthrax vaccination remains pending as new evidence suggests his seizure disorder may be related to the vaccine, but further review is needed.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, a right foot disability, and hearing loss due to lack of in-service records and insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but his claims for right knee, left knee, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for ratings and compensation related to erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, SMC for loss of use of a creative organ, and multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities have been dismissed. The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss) do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not service-connected. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, as evidenced by noise exposure during service. The evidence is in equipoise regarding this relationship.

The Board has decided that service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service. The other issues of left ear hearing loss, balance disorder, and tinnitus are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD and a temporary total rating based on hospitalization are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition. However, it denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence meeting VA criteria.

Bilateral hearing loss and chronic/recurrent right ankle strain are granted as service-connected.,Left knee arthritis, bunion and metatarsalgia of the right foot, bronchitis, and sinusitis are granted as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.,Left foot disability is denied.,Headaches are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, knee disorder, psychiatric condition, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension, is remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease resulting in his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure and that there is continuity of symptoms since service.